Minetec, a division of Codan Limited (ASX-CDA), has announced the launch of its latest underground positioning technology in Trax+Tags™ II; a new generation of Minetec’s real-time locating system (RTLS) for vehicle and personnel position reporting and tracking.
Trax+Tags II incorporates the wireless ad-hoc system for positioning system (WASP), a revolutionary technology developed by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to address challenging tracking and navigation applications not addressed by current technologies, such as GPS or WiFi.
Minetec executive general manager Andy Sheppard said: "By integrating WASP into Trax+Tags II, Minetec offers a highly accurate, cost-effective solution specifically designed for underground environments with large possibility of expansion in above ground use.
"WASP is clearly a revolutionary technology that is critical to modern underground mining and will significantly improve productivity, lower operational costs and reduce health and safety issues for mining operations."
Research leader of Smart Secure Infrastructure at CSIRO’s Digital Productivity and Services Flagship Professor Jay Guo said: "We are delighted to have partnered with Minetec to deliver a wireless solution that will have a real impact on productivity and safety in the mining industry.
"We’ve integrated WASP into the Trax+Tags II system to provide critical location information in underground environments where global positioning systems cannot operate. Based on time-of-arrival (TOA) technology, the system improves the accuracy of tracking vehicles and personnel positions to sub-meter level in environments such as an underground pit or tunnel."
A scalable system, Trax+Tags™ II addresses the accuracy and investment requirements of the mine at different stages of operation by building up the system with modules over time. Far superior to existing technologies, the Trax+Tags™ II situational awareness suite provides an efficient and cost-effective system to visually display assets based on their current locations. Using the tags worn by personnel, the Tag Board displays the occupancy of zones, alarm conditions and entry/exit events.
Minetec will be conducting live demonstrations of Trax+Tags™ II at AIMEX 2013; Asia Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition, Booth R156, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, 20 – 23 August 2013.